Questions · 10 so far
We read Strathroy-Caradoc's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 33 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+79%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
Strathroy-Caradoc spent $2.5M on roads and snow in 2019 and $4.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 3 of 33 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$2,101,855proposed 2026 tax money for capital, down from $3,088,650, against about $13.18 million a year the slides say is needed
Capital means roads, buildings, pipes and other things that last many years. The Mayor's budget slides say the Municipality's Asset Management Plan means it "must allocate approximately $13.18 million annually" to capital needs, and that it "Have been allocating $3 million annually". The budget then lowers the tax money for capital from $3,088,650 in 2025 to $2,101,855 in 2026. The report explains that it used reserve funds, grants and debt where it could. That means part of the gap is being covered by borrowing, and the cost of borrowing sits in the operating budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$20,090,003of "proposed" debt in the 2026 debt schedule, plus $9,500,000 for the police annex, against $8,483,135 in audited long-term debt
A debenture is a long-term loan the Municipality takes out and repays over many years. The audited statements show long-term debt of $8,483,135 at the end of 2025, down from $9,199,793. The 2026 budget's debt schedule lists a separate group of "proposed" debt of $20,090,003 for projects that are "completed projects not yet debentured", including $10,000,000 for Fire Station #1, and then a new $9,500,000 loan for a police building annex. Added together, that is about $29.6 million of loans on top of the existing $700,634 in the schedule (worked out by us). The Mayor himself asked for a report on these "proposed" debentures on May 19, 2026. We did not find that report.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
$24,890,868allocated to wastewater projects, against a reserve fund of $11,770,063 at the start of 2025
Wastewater means the sewers and plants that clean used water. The budget's reserve analysis lists the Wastewater Reserve Fund opening 2025 at 11,770,062.87, with 24,890,867.66 allocated to projects, leaving (13,120,804.79) "before additions/interest". The list of water and wastewater projects it refers to labels them "allocated but unspent", and notes that two plant upgrades were updated in 2025 "to 11 million from 6m" (Mount Brydges) and "to 14m from 10m" (Strathroy). The audited statements say 13,433,332 of contracts for wastewater projects were still unfinished at the end of 2025. The documents we read do not say how the difference will be paid.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1,102,548investment income in 2025, against a budget of $2,140,179
The audited statement of operations shows investment income of $1,102,548 for 2025 against a budget of $2,140,179, and $1,683,727 in 2024. The 2026 budget again counts on about $2 million of investment interest. Part of the gap may be accounting. The audited statements say $1,488,150 of investment income in 2025 was earned on externally restricted money (for example development charges) and was added to deferred revenue instead of being counted as 2025 revenue. The Municipality's cash at the end of 2025 was $68,082,424.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$(2,379,432)accumulated deficit from operations at the end of 2025, down from a surplus of $5,527,191
The accumulated surplus is the net value the Municipality has built up. The audited statements split it into parts. The part that comes from operations went from a surplus of $5,527,191 to a deficit of $(2,379,432), even though the Municipality reported an annual surplus of $12,280,454. At the same time the Transportation reserve went from $(1,368,411) to $(1,624,448). A negative reserve means money has been spent from a savings account that has nothing left in it. The same note shows the money tied up in unfinished capital projects growing from $16,981,943 to $30,613,042.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$10,940,283proposed 2026 Police Services operating budget, up $1,942,787 from $8,997,496
The police budget is the largest department in the 2026 operating budget. It goes from $8,997,496 to $10,940,283. About $1,209,577 of that rise is paid by non-tax revenue (grants, fees and payments from others), and $733,210 (10%) by the tax levy. The budget detail shows full-time pay rising from $4,106,734 to $4,854,188 and payroll benefits from $1,362,060 to $1,885,401, while two workers' compensation (WSIB) lines of $50,000 and $25,000 go to nil. A note on the full-time pay line reads "Split x2 (7.4%) *3%*", which we could not interpret.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+48%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Strathroy-Caradoc spent $8.4M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $12.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
4.53%proposed 2026 municipal tax rate increase, against an 11.48% rise in the operating levy
The Municipality's own budget report gives three percentages for the same year. The operating levy (the tax money that pays for day-to-day services) rises 11.48%, from $23,361,952 to $26,044,139. The whole levy, which also includes tax money for capital projects, rises 7.37%, to $26,227,594. The tax rate, which is what a homeowner's bill is built from, rises 4.53%, because the assessed value of the town's properties grew 2.72%. The report says this 4.53% is only the municipal part of the bill. County and school taxes are added to it. The Municipality has explained all three numbers in the report, so this is context rather than a gap.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$6,127,150capital assets bought in 2025, against a budget of $40,660,500 (plus $13,631,099 added to work in progress)
The budget column of the audited statements plans $40,660,500 for new capital assets in 2025. The statements show $6,127,150 bought, but also an increase of $13,631,099 in work in progress, which is the cost of projects that are not finished yet. Together that is about $19.8 million (worked out by us), roughly half of the budget. The Municipality explains in its statements that capital budgets are project-based and can run over more than one year, and the statements list $23,605,095 of contracts still to be paid at the end of 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+79%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
Strathroy-Caradoc spent $2.5M on roads and snow in 2019 and $4.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 3 of 33 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +4% | +1% |
| 2021 | +38% | +4% |
| 2022 | +43% | +11% |
| 2023 | +39% | +16% |
| 2024 | +44% | +18% |
| 2025 | +79% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $2.5M, 2020 $2.7M, 2021 $3.5M, 2022 $3.6M, 2023 $3.5M, 2024 $3.7M, 2025 $4.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Roadsides and signs, from $1.6M to $2.8M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 40%. Strathroy-Caradoc ranks 4th of 34.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 33 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$2,101,855proposed 2026 tax money for capital, down from $3,088,650, against about $13.18 million a year the slides say is needed
Capital means roads, buildings, pipes and other things that last many years. The Mayor's budget slides say the Municipality's Asset Management Plan means it "must allocate approximately $13.18 million annually" to capital needs, and that it "Have been allocating $3 million annually". The budget then lowers the tax money for capital from $3,088,650 in 2025 to $2,101,855 in 2026. The report explains that it used reserve funds, grants and debt where it could. That means part of the gap is being covered by borrowing, and the cost of borrowing sits in the operating budget.
Money not set aside for roads and buildings now is a bill for later. If it is covered by loans, taxpayers pay interest as well. The question is how the plan will close the gap, not whether one year's choice was wrong.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Slide 6, Annual Capital Requirement and Infrastructure Cost Pressures: "Asset Management Plan - the Municipality must allocate approximately $13.18 million annually to address capital requirements"; "Have been allocating $3 million annually"; "Construction inflation: ~5.5% forecast for 2026".
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Presentation slides, Annual Capital Requirement and Infrastructure Cost Pressures, PDF page 14
Staff report FIN-2026-01: "The 2026 Proposed Capital Budget totals $25,089,534, of which $2,101,855 is financed by taxation. An effort was made to utilize reserve funds, grants and debt wherever prudent. As a result, proposed capital taxation required has decreased from $3,088,650 in 2025, to $2,101,855 in 2026; a proposed capital tax levy decrease of $986,795 or 31.95%."
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Staff Report FIN-2026-01, 2026 Proposed Capital Budget Summary, PDF page 6
Note 13, Accumulated Surplus, reserve funds: "Asset management" 2,893,070 (2024 2,201,901). Note 17, Government transfers, capital: "OCIF grant" 2,874,419 (2024 1,855,750).
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Note 13, PDF page 26 (printed page 24); Note 17, PDF page 29 (printed page 27)
$20,090,003of "proposed" debt in the 2026 debt schedule, plus $9,500,000 for the police annex, against $8,483,135 in audited long-term debt
A debenture is a long-term loan the Municipality takes out and repays over many years. The audited statements show long-term debt of $8,483,135 at the end of 2025, down from $9,199,793. The 2026 budget's debt schedule lists a separate group of "proposed" debt of $20,090,003 for projects that are "completed projects not yet debentured", including $10,000,000 for Fire Station #1, and then a new $9,500,000 loan for a police building annex. Added together, that is about $29.6 million of loans on top of the existing $700,634 in the schedule (worked out by us). The Mayor himself asked for a report on these "proposed" debentures on May 19, 2026. We did not find that report.
Loans mean interest, and interest comes out of the operating budget every year. The two documents count debt in different ways, so a resident cannot tell from them how large the total will be or when the new loans start.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 10, Net Long-term Debt: "Total long-term liabilities incurred by the Municipality and outstanding at the end of the year amount to: $ 8,483,135 $ 9,199,793". Principal due in 2026 is 850,544 and "Thereafter" 5,869,952. "The gross interest paid relating to the Municipality's long-term debt was $39,828 (2024 - $62,143)."
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Note 10, PDF page 22 (printed page 20)
2026 Debt Schedule dated December 16, 2025: "EXISTING DEBT TOTALS" principal outstanding 700,634. "PROPOSED MUNICIPAL DEBT TOTALS" 20,090,003, made up of Pumper Tanker 782,661, Fire Station #1 10,000,000, 900,000 for Engine 31, Drury Lane 2,033,993, McEvoy Road 250,000, Agnes Drive 2,169,128 and Queen Street Phase 2 3,954,221, each at 4.77%. The schedule says the proposed debt is "for completed projects not yet debentured" and "all subject to change when debentured". Debt payments included in the 2026 operating budget: principal outstanding 20,790,637, 2026 total payment 1,770,059.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · 2026 Debt Schedule, PDF page 114
2026 Debt Schedule, Proposed Police Annex Debt: Police Building Annex, 9,500,000 at 4.77% over 30 years, first-year principal 148,731 and interest 453,150, total 601,881. Staff report FIN-2026-01: "The Police Building Annex is proposed to be financed by $9,500,000 by debt, $500,000 from reserves, and $568,000 from development charges." The capital budget lists the annex at 10,568,000.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Debt schedule, PDF page 114; Staff Report FIN-2026-01, PDF page 6; 2026 Proposed Capital Budget, Police Services, PDF page 35
The Municipality's budget page says on January 26, 2026 council received the proposed budget "for information, referring it back to the Mayor for revision with the inclusion of the Police Annex and the revised debt schedule". It says the budget was adopted on February 11, 2026.
Budget 2026 web page · 2026 Budget Key Dates
Mayoral Decision Number 2026-02, May 19, 2026, directs a report to Council on: "For the "proposed" debentures, the report to Council at the time of project approval showing the approved method of payment"; "Each project proposed for debenture to be a separate report"; "Effects on Reserves by not "topping up" to previous levels, including priority reserves"; and a "Comparative analysis of internal vs external financing". The report was to go to a special meeting before the regular council meeting of June 15, 2026.
Mayoral Decision Number 2026-02, May 19, 2026 · Page 1, items III and IV
Note 2: "Interest rates on the cash and equivalents range from the bank's prime rate less 1.75% to 4.95%." The cash flow statement shows "Cash and cash equivalents, end of year" of $68,082,424 (2024 $66,755,165).
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Note 2, PDF page 16 (printed page 14); Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, PDF page 9 (printed page 7)
$24,890,868allocated to wastewater projects, against a reserve fund of $11,770,063 at the start of 2025
Wastewater means the sewers and plants that clean used water. The budget's reserve analysis lists the Wastewater Reserve Fund opening 2025 at 11,770,062.87, with 24,890,867.66 allocated to projects, leaving (13,120,804.79) "before additions/interest". The list of water and wastewater projects it refers to labels them "allocated but unspent", and notes that two plant upgrades were updated in 2025 "to 11 million from 6m" (Mount Brydges) and "to 14m from 10m" (Strathroy). The audited statements say 13,433,332 of contracts for wastewater projects were still unfinished at the end of 2025. The documents we read do not say how the difference will be paid.
Wastewater costs are paid mostly by sewer rates. If projects are planned for more money than the reserve holds, the gap is paid by sewer users, development charges, grants or loans. Residents will want to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Reserves analysis, Obligatory Reserve Funds, columns "Opening Balance 2025", "Budgeted Allocated Project", "Closing before additions/interest 2025": "S-C WASTEWATER RESERVE FUND" 11,770,062.87, 24,890,867.66, "See List", (13,120,804.79). "S-C WATER RESERVE FUND" 21,595,673.12, 1,425,000.00, 20,170,673.12.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Reserves, Reserve Funds, Trust Funds, and Security Deposits Analysis, Obligatory Reserve Funds, PDF page 117
"Water -Wastewater projects allocated but unspent": "Mt. Brydges WWTP Upgrades (In 2025 updated to 11 million from 6m)" with a proposed budget of 9,934,822; "Strathroy WWTF Upgrades (In 2025 updated to 14m from 10m)" with 11,066,046. The total for the list is 31,322,180, of which 1,425,000 is water rates, 24,890,868 sewer rates and 5,006,312 other funding sources.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Water-Wastewater projects allocated but unspent, PDF page 118
Development charges balances: "DEV CHG BL#14-10 -STRATHROY- WW" 3,277,860.13; "DEV CHG BL#14-10 - MT BRYDGES WW" 1,729,508.86.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Reserves analysis, Development Charges, PDF page 115
Note 15, Commitments: "The Municipality has $23,605,095 in outstanding capital commitments remaining as at December 31, 2025", including "Wastewater projects $ 13,433,332" and "Roads projects $ 8,758,444". Note 13: reserve "Wastewater system" 14,435,380 (2024 11,758,081).
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Note 15, PDF page 27 (printed page 25); Note 13, PDF page 26 (printed page 24)
$1,102,548investment income in 2025, against a budget of $2,140,179
The audited statement of operations shows investment income of $1,102,548 for 2025 against a budget of $2,140,179, and $1,683,727 in 2024. The 2026 budget again counts on about $2 million of investment interest. Part of the gap may be accounting. The audited statements say $1,488,150 of investment income in 2025 was earned on externally restricted money (for example development charges) and was added to deferred revenue instead of being counted as 2025 revenue. The Municipality's cash at the end of 2025 was $68,082,424.
Interest on savings reduces the tax levy. If the budget counts on more interest than comes in, the gap has to be found elsewhere. If most of the interest belongs to restricted funds, the general budget should not count on it.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Consolidated Statement of Operations: "Investment income" budget 2,140,179, 2025 actual 1,102,548, 2024 actual 1,683,727. Total revenue budget 47,696,908, actual 50,000,540.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 7 (printed page 5); the same 2025 and 2024 investment income figures appear in Note 24, PDF pages 35 and 36
Note 8, Deferred Revenue, total of all funds: contributions received 10,831,818; "Externally restricted investment income" 1,488,150, of which development charges 1,089,849 and Canada Community Building Fund 253,055; ending balance 28,326,292.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Note 8, PDF page 20 (printed page 18)
Cash flow statement: "Cash and cash equivalents, end of year" $68,082,424 (2024 $ 66,755,165). Note 4, Portfolio Investments: guaranteed investment certificates with a carrying value of $3,767,169 and mutual funds with a carrying value of $693,500. "The income from these investments for the year was $700,275 (2024 - $1,444,949)."
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, PDF page 9 (printed page 7); Note 4, PDF page 16 (printed page 14)
Finance budget detail, "INTEREST INCOME-INVESTMENT INTEREST": 1,990,000 (2024 budget), 1,546,162 (2024 actual), 1,998,266 (2025 budget), 1,615,498 (2026 year to date, headed "Sept 2026"), 2,000,000 (2026 budget).
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · 2026 Operating Budget Detailed, Finance, PDF page 88
$(2,379,432)accumulated deficit from operations at the end of 2025, down from a surplus of $5,527,191
The accumulated surplus is the net value the Municipality has built up. The audited statements split it into parts. The part that comes from operations went from a surplus of $5,527,191 to a deficit of $(2,379,432), even though the Municipality reported an annual surplus of $12,280,454. At the same time the Transportation reserve went from $(1,368,411) to $(1,624,448). A negative reserve means money has been spent from a savings account that has nothing left in it. The same note shows the money tied up in unfinished capital projects growing from $16,981,943 to $30,613,042.
A deficit in the operating part and negative reserves mean some past spending has not yet been paid for. It can be repaired by future taxes, development charges or loans. Residents will want to know which and when.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 13, Accumulated Surplus: "Accumulated (deficit) surplus from operations" $ (2,379,432) (2024 $ 5,527,191). "Investment in capital work in progress" 30,613,042 (2024 16,981,943). Reserves: "Transportation" (1,624,448) (2024 (1,368,411)); "Planning" 36,206 (2024 (186,176)). "Unfunded Liabilities" (11,533,729) (2024 (12,185,740)). The note says "Unfunded liabilities are comprised of employee future benefits, net long-term debt, and asset retirement obligations." Total accumulated surplus 289,059,414.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Note 13, PDF page 26 (printed page 24)
Consolidated Statement of Operations: "Annual surplus" budget 8,987,298, actual 12,280,454 (2024 23,340,978). Cash flow statement: "(Increase) decrease in work in progress" (13,631,099) (2024 10,149,267).
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Statement of Operations, PDF page 7 (printed page 5); Cash Flows, PDF page 9 (printed page 7)
Reserves analysis, opening 2025 balances: "RESERVE-ROADS" (1,369,325.71); "RESERVE-PLANNING" (186,175.92); "RESERVE-COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT" (440,836.05); "RESERVE-DRAINAGE" (34,589.30). Development charges: "DEV CHGS - STRATHROY ENGINEERING; ROADS AND STORM" -1,092,569.10.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Reserves analysis, PDF pages 115 and 117
$10,940,283proposed 2026 Police Services operating budget, up $1,942,787 from $8,997,496
The police budget is the largest department in the 2026 operating budget. It goes from $8,997,496 to $10,940,283. About $1,209,577 of that rise is paid by non-tax revenue (grants, fees and payments from others), and $733,210 (10%) by the tax levy. The budget detail shows full-time pay rising from $4,106,734 to $4,854,188 and payroll benefits from $1,362,060 to $1,885,401, while two workers' compensation (WSIB) lines of $50,000 and $25,000 go to nil. A note on the full-time pay line reads "Split x2 (7.4%) *3%*", which we could not interpret.
Police costs are the biggest single charge on the tax levy. A one-year rise of 22% needs a clear reason, such as a new contract or a new service, so residents can tell it will not repeat.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
2026 Proposed Operating Budget summary: "Police Services" 2025 approved budget 8,997,496, 2026 proposed 10,940,283, difference 1,942,787 (22%). Taxation required 7,347,916 to 8,081,126, difference 733,210 (10%). Non-tax revenues 1,649,580 to 2,859,157, difference 1,209,577 (73%).
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · 2026 Proposed Operating Budget summary, PDF page 38
Police Services budget detail, account 12-230-02330 (police uniform salaries): "Full-time" 4,106,734 (2025 budget), 4,854,188 (2026 budget), 18.20%, with the note "Split x2 (7.4%) *3%*". "Payroll Benefits" 1,362,060 (2025), 1,885,401 (2026), 38.42%. "WSIB" 50,000 (2025), nil in 2026, -100.00%. "WSIB NEAR/Surcharge" 25,000 (2025), nil in 2026. Total for the uniform salary lines 5,619,294 (2025) and 6,815,089 (2026), 21.28%.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · SC Police Services budget detail, PDF page 94
Police Services revenue detail: "General Taxation" 7,347,916 (2025), 8,081,126 (2026). "Middlesex County Fire Dispatch/CERB (Fall 2024)" 298,229 (2024 budget column), 614,378 (2025), 623,277 (2026). "Grants - NG911" with the note "NG911 Grant $1,402,200 total". Total operating revenue 8,997,496 (2025) and 10,940,283 (2026), 21.59%.
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · SC Police Services budget detail, PDF page 93
+48%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Strathroy-Caradoc spent $8.4M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $12.5M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +9% | +4% |
| 2022 | +21% | +11% |
| 2023 | +24% | +16% |
| 2024 | +32% | +18% |
| 2025 | +48% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $8.4M, 2020 $9.0M, 2021 $9.2M, 2022 $10.2M, 2023 $10.5M, 2024 $11.2M, 2025 $12.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Police (OPP contract), from $6.3M to $9.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
4.53%proposed 2026 municipal tax rate increase, against an 11.48% rise in the operating levy
The Municipality's own budget report gives three percentages for the same year. The operating levy (the tax money that pays for day-to-day services) rises 11.48%, from $23,361,952 to $26,044,139. The whole levy, which also includes tax money for capital projects, rises 7.37%, to $26,227,594. The tax rate, which is what a homeowner's bill is built from, rises 4.53%, because the assessed value of the town's properties grew 2.72%. The report says this 4.53% is only the municipal part of the bill. County and school taxes are added to it. The Municipality has explained all three numbers in the report, so this is context rather than a gap.
Residents see one number in the news and another on the bill. Knowing which is which makes it possible to judge whether a tax change was large or small.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Strathroy-Caradoc? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Staff report FIN-2026-01: "The 2026 Proposed Operating Budget totals $51,626,630; of which $26,044,139 is financed by taxation, and $25,582,491 is financed by non-taxation revenues. This represents an increase in the proposed operating tax levy of $2,682,187, or 11.48%."
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Staff Report FIN-2026-01, 2026 Proposed Operating Budget Summary, PDF page 6
Staff report FIN-2026-01: "the Municipality will require total taxation of $26,227,594 in 2026. This represents a proposed consolidated tax levy increase of $1,799,734 or 7.37% over 2025." It adds that assessment "grew by 2.72% for 2026" and "the overall proposed 2026 tax rate increase is 4.53%", and that this is "only for the municipal portion of the levy". In 2025 the municipal level was 55% of the total, the County 32% and Provincial Education 13%. "Middlesex County has presented a draft levy increase of 3.78%."
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Staff Report FIN-2026-01, 2026 Proposed Consolidated Budget Summary, PDF page 7
Staff report FIN-2026-01, financial implications: "Ratepayers in Strathroy-Caradoc would see an increase of $36.42 per every $100,000 of assessed value. For example, $145.68 on a $400,000 house, or $364.19 on a $1,000,000 farm property."
Revised 2026 Budget Documents, January 16, 2026 · Staff Report FIN-2026-01, Financial Implications, PDF page 8
$6,127,150capital assets bought in 2025, against a budget of $40,660,500 (plus $13,631,099 added to work in progress)
The budget column of the audited statements plans $40,660,500 for new capital assets in 2025. The statements show $6,127,150 bought, but also an increase of $13,631,099 in work in progress, which is the cost of projects that are not finished yet. Together that is about $19.8 million (worked out by us), roughly half of the budget. The Municipality explains in its statements that capital budgets are project-based and can run over more than one year, and the statements list $23,605,095 of contracts still to be paid at the end of 2025.
A capital budget is the promise about what will be built. If only half is built in a year, projects are late or costs have moved to later years, and those years will carry the bills.
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Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets: "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" budget (40,660,500), 2025 (6,127,150), 2024 (37,769,160). "(Increase) decrease in work in progress" (13,631,099) in 2025.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 8 (printed page 6)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Budget Figures: "Budgets established for capital investment in tangible capital assets are on a project-oriented basis, the costs of which may be carried out over one or more years and, therefore, may not be comparable with current year's actual expenditure amounts." Note 15: "The Municipality has $23,605,095 in outstanding capital commitments remaining as at December 31, 2025"; "The majority of payments on these outstanding commitments will be made in the next one to two years."
The Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (MNP LLP, August 4, 2026) · Budget Figures, PDF page 12 (printed page 10); Note 15, PDF page 27 (printed page 25)